NEW ORLEANS - Nonprescription skin care products formulated with a potent topical antioxidant resulted in objective improvement in prematurely aged skin in a small study of women aged 25 or older.
The antioxidant hydroxydecyl ubiquinoyl dipalmitoyl glycerate (idebenone complex) was incorporated in the skin care products to treat skin photodamage associated with cellular oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species, Dr. Michael H. Gold explained at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
He presented an open-label study involving 32 women aged 25-65 years with premature aging of the skin. Twice daily for 8 weeks they used test products containing 0.5% hydroxydecyl ubiquinoyl dipalmitoyl glycerate. Expert grading of various dimensions of skin quality was conducted at baseline and again at 4 and 8 weeks during physical examination and with the assistance of standardized photographs.
The skin care products consisted of a facial cleanser, a moisturizing cream, a skin brightener, and an eye serum. Study participants also used an SPF 30 sunscreen daily.
Skin roughness showed a mean 36% improvement at 8 weeks compared with baseline. Dyschromia also improved by an average of 36%, as did fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Skin radiance or glow improved by a mean of 44% over baseline. Skin brightness showed a 42% improvement. Skin tonality improved by an average of 41%, as did skin elasticity, determined by how fast the skin rebounds to the touch, reported Dr. Gold of the Tennessee Clinical Research Center, Nashville.
Overall global improvement was rated at a mean 42% gain, he added.
The study was sponsored by PCR Technology Holdings. Dr. Gold disclosed that he holds relevant intellectual property rights.